Stent delivery systems and locking members for use with stent delivery systems

ABSTRACT

Stent delivery systems, locking members for preventing unwanted actuation of a actuation member on a stent delivery system, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A deployment sheath may be disposed about the inner member. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath. A handle may be coupled to the inner member and to the deployment sheath. The handle may include an actuation member. The actuation member may be configured to shift the longitudinal position of the deployment sheath relative to the inner member. A locking member may be disposed on the actuation member. The locking member may be configured to prevent unwanted actuation of the actuation member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/414,868, filed Nov. 17, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/414,835, filed on Nov. 17, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference; and U.S. Patent Application No. 61/414,858, filed on Nov. 17, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to stent delivery systems and locking members for use therewith.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of intracorporeal medical devices have been developed for medical use, for example, intravascular use. Some of these devices include stent delivery systems. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Of the known stent delivery devices and methods for making and using the same, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative stent delivery devices as well as alternative methods for making and using stent delivery devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for stent delivery systems and locking members for preventing unwanted actuation of a actuation member on a stent delivery system. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A deployment sheath may be disposed about the inner member. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath. A handle may be coupled to the inner member and to the deployment sheath. The handle may include an actuation member. The actuation member may be configured to shift the longitudinal position of the deployment sheath relative to the inner member. A locking member may be disposed on the actuation member. The locking member may be configured to prevent unwanted actuation of the actuation member.

An example locking member for preventing unwanted actuation of a thumbwheel on a stent delivery system may include a body having a proximal edge and a distal edge. At least one of the proximal edge and the distal edge may be configured to engage a handle of the stent delivery system. One or more gripping fingers may be coupled to the body. The gripping fingers may be configured to engage the thumbwheel. The gripping fingers may be configured to shift between an engaged configuration where the gripping fingers are engaged with the thumbwheel and a released configuration where the gripping fingers are released from the thumbwheel. One or more depressible tabs may be coupled to the body for shifting the position of the gripping fingers.

An example method for preventing unwanted motion of a thumbwheel on a stent delivery system may include providing a locking member. The locking member may include a body having a proximal edge and a distal edge. At least one of the proximal edge and the distal edge may be configured to engage a handle of the stent delivery system. One or more gripping fingers may be coupled to the body. The gripping fingers may be configured to engage the thumbwheel. The gripping fingers may be configured to shift between an engaged configuration where the gripping fingers are engaged with the thumbwheel and a released configuration where the gripping fingers are released from the thumbwheel. The gripping fingers may be biased to extend radially inward. One or more depressible tabs may be coupled to the body for shifting the position of the gripping fingers. The method may also include applying a radially inward force to the depressible tabs to shift the gripping fingers from the engaged configuration to the released configuration, disposing the locking member on the thumbwheel, and removing the radially inward force from the depressible tabs to shift the gripping fingers from the released configuration to the engaged configuration and to attach the locking member to the thumbwheel.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an example stent delivery system;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of another portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another portion of the example stent delivery system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the example locking member shown engaged with a stent delivery system;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example locking member for use with a stent delivery system;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the example locking member shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the association of the locking member with an actuation member of a stent delivery system; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the association of the locking member with the handle of a stent delivery system.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example stent delivery system 10. System 10 may include an elongate shaft 12 and a handle 14 coupled to shaft 12. In general, system 10 may be used to deliver a suitable stent, graft, endoprosthesis or the like to an area of interest within a body lumen of a patient. The body lumen may be a blood vessel located near the heart (e.g., within or near a cardiac vessel), within a peripheral vessel, within a neurological vessel, or at any other suitable location. Deployment of the stent may include the proximal retraction of a retraction sheath 16, which overlies the stent. Refraction of sheath 16 may include the actuation of an actuation member 18 generally disposed at handle 14. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, actuation member 18 is a thumbwheel that can be rotated by a clinician in order to accomplish proximal retraction of deployment sheath 16. Numerous other actuation members are contemplated. A number of other structures and features of system 10 can be seen in FIG. 1 and are labeled with reference numbers. Additional discussion of these structures can be found below.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate at least some of the structural components that may be included as a part of system 10. For example, system 10 may include an inner shaft or member 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In at least some embodiments, inner member 20 may be a tubular structure and, thus, may include a lumen (not shown). The lumen may be a guidewire lumen that extends along at least a portion of the length of inner member 20. Accordingly, system 10 may be advanced over a guidewire to the desired target location in the vasculature. In addition, or in alternative embodiments, the lumen may be a perfusion/aspiration lumen that allows portions, components, or all of system 10 to be flushed, perfused, aspirated, or the like.

Inner member 20 may include a stent receiving region 22 about which a stent (not shown, can be seen in FIGS. 3-4) may be disposed. The length and/or configuration of stent receiving region 22 may vary. For example, stent receiving region 22 may have a length sufficient for the stent to be disposed thereon. It can be appreciated that as the length of the stent utilized for system 10 increases, the length of stent receiving region 22 also increases.

Along or otherwise disposed adjacent stent receiving region 22 may be one or more perfusion ports 24. Ports 24 may extend through the wall of inner member 20 such that fluid may be infused through the lumen of inner member 20 and may be flushed through ports 24. This may be desirable for a number of reasons. For example, ports 24 may allow a clinician to evacuate air bubbles that may be trapped adjacent the stent by perfusing fluid through ports 24. In addition, ports 24 may be used to aspirate fluid that may be disposed along inner member 20. Ports 24 may also aid in sterilization and/or other preparatory processing steps that may be involved in preparing system 10 for use.

A tip 26 may be attached to or otherwise disposed at the distal end of inner member 20. Tip 26 may generally have a rounded or smooth shape that provides a generally atraumatic distal end to system 10. For example, tip 26 may have a smooth tapered distal portion 28 that gently tapers. Tip may also include a proximal ridge 30 that is configured so that sheath 16 can abut therewith. Tip 26 may also include a tapered proximal portion 33. Numerous other shapes and/or configurations are contemplated for tip 26.

Tip 26 may also include one or more cutouts or flats 32 formed therein. For the purposes of this disclosure, flats 32 are understood to be cutouts or flattened portions of tip 26 where the outer dimension or profile of tip 26 is reduced. The name “flats” comes from the fact that these regions may have a somewhat “flat” appearance when compared to the remainder of tip 26, which generally may have a rounded profile. The shape, however, of flats 32 is not meant to be limited to being flat or planar as numerous shapes are contemplated.

Flats 32 may allow for a gap or space to be defined between inner member 20 and deployment sheath 16 when sheath 16 abuts proximal ridge 30 of tip 26. This gap may allow for fluid, for example perfusion fluid passed through ports 24, to flow out from sheath 16. Thus, flats 32 may be used in conjunction with ports 24 to allow portions or all of system 10 to be flushed or otherwise evacuated of air bubbles.

FIG. 3 illustrates inner member 20 with some additional structure of system 10.

In this figure, a stent 34 is disposed about inner member 20 (e.g., about stent receiving region 22 of inner member 20). In some embodiments, stent 34 is a self-expanding stent. Accordingly, stent 34 may be biased to outwardly expand. Because of this, stent 34 may not be “loaded onto” inner member 20 in a strict sense but rather may be thought of as being disposed about or surrounding inner member 20. Stent 34 may then be restrained within deployment sheath 16. In alternative embodiments, however, stent 34 may be directly loaded onto inner member 20 via crimping or any other suitable mechanical holding mechanism.

An intermediate tube 36 may also be disposed over inner member 20. In at least some embodiments, intermediate tube 36 may extend from a position adjacent to the proximal end of inner member 20 to a position proximal of the distal end of inner member 20. Intermediate tube 36 may include a bumper 38. In practice, bumper 38 may function by preventing any unwanted proximal movement of stent 38 during navigation and/or deployment of stent 38.

Bumper 38 may have any suitable form. In some embodiments, bumper 38 may be defined by a relatively short tube or sleeve that is disposed about intermediate tube 36. The material utilized for the sleeve may be the same or different from that of intermediate tube 36. Intermediate tube 36 may have a tapered or otherwise smooth transition in outer diameter adjacent bumper 38. For example, polymeric material may be disposed or reflowed adjacent bumper 38 (which may include disposing the polymeric material about a portion or all of bumper 38) so as to define a gentle transition in outer diameter at bumper 38. Other configurations are contemplated and may be utilized in alternative embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates additional structure of system 10. Here deployment sheath 16 can be seen disposed over inner member 20, intermediate tube 36, and stent 34. It can be appreciated that sheath 16 is configured to shift between a first position, for example as shown in FIG. 4, where sheath 16 overlies stent 34 and a second position where sheath 16 is proximally retracted to a position substantially proximal of stent 34. In general, the first position may be utilized during navigation of system 10 to the appropriate location within a body lumen and the second position may be used to deploy stent 34.

Sheath 16 may include a flared portion 40 where the outer diameter of sheath 16 is increased. In portion 40, the thickness of the tubular wall of sheath 16 may or may not be increased. Flared portion 40 may be desirable for a number of reasons. For example, flared portion 40 may allow sheath 16 to have an adequate inner dimension that is suitable so that sheath 16 may be disposed about stent 34 and bumper 38.

In at least some embodiments, sheath 16 may include a reinforcing member 42 embedded or otherwise included therewith. Reinforcing member 42 may have any number of a variety of different configurations. For example, reinforcing member 42 may include a braid, coil, mesh, combinations thereof, or the like, or any other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, reinforcing member 42 may extend along the entire length of sheath 16. In other embodiments, reinforcing member 42 may extend along one or more portions of the length of sheath 16. For example, reinforcing member 42 may extend along flared portion 40.

Sheath 16 may also include a radiopaque marker or band 44. In general, marker band 44 may be disposed adjacent to the distal end 46 of sheath 16. One or more additional marker bands 44 may be disposed along other portions of sheath 16 or other portions of system 10. Marker band 44 may allow the distal end 46 of sheath 16 to be fluoroscopically visualized during advancement of system 10 and/or deployment of stent 34.

FIG. 4 also illustrates the distal end 46 of sheath 16 abutting proximal ridge 30. In this configuration, stent 34 can be flushed (e.g., to remove air bubbles) by infusing fluid through inner member 20 and through ports 24. Because of flats 32, fluid may be allowed to be flushed out of sheath 16 by passing through the gaps formed between inner member 20 and sheath 16 at flats 32.

FIG. 5 illustrates a distal portion 48 of handle 14. Here it can be seen that handle 14 is attached to an outer member 50. Outer member 50 may be disposed about sheath 16 and extend along a portion of the length of sheath 16. Thus, along at least a portion of the length of system 10, system 10 may include four tubular structures that may be coaxially arranged—namely outer member 50, deployment sheath 16, intermediate tube 36, and inner member 20. In at least some embodiments, outer member 50 may provide system 10 with a number of desirable benefits. For example, outer member 50 may include or otherwise be formed from a lubricious material that can reduce friction that may be associated with proximally retracting sheath 16. In addition, outer member 50 may comprise a surface that can be clamped or otherwise locked so that the position of system 10 can be maintained without negatively impacting the refraction of sheath 16 (which might otherwise be impacted if sheath 16 was to be clamped). Numerous other desirable benefits may also be achieved through the use of outer member 50.

Sheath 16 may pass proximally through outer member 50 and extend proximally back within handle 14. Intermediate tube 36 and inner member 20 both also extend back within handle 14 and are disposed within sheath 16. The proximal end of sheath 16 may be attached to a gear rack assembly 52 with a fastener or clip 54 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thus, it can be appreciated that proximal movement of gear rack assembly 52 may result in analogous proximal movement of deployment sheath 14. Gear rack assembly 52 may include a plurality of teeth or gears 56. In practice, teeth 56 may be configured to engage with corresponding teeth or gears (not shown) on thumbwheel 18. Consequently, rotation of thumbwheel 18, via gearing thereof with gears 56, can be utilized to proximally retract gear rack assembly 52 and, thus, sheath 16. Other structural arrangements may be utilized to accomplish proximal retraction of gear rack assembly 52 through the actuation of thumbwheel 18 or any other suitable actuation member.

Gear rack assembly 52 may also include a flared proximal end 58. When properly assembly, the main body of gear rack assembly 52 may be disposed within handle 14 and proximal end 58 may be disposed along the exterior of handle 14. Gear rack assembly 52 may have a slot or groove 68 formed therein (not shown in FIG. 6, can be seen in FIG. 7). Groove 68 may extend the length of gear rack assembly 52, including extending along proximal end 58. Because proximal end 58 may be generally located near the proximal end of inner member 20, the flared shape of proximal end 58 and the orientation of groove 68 may allow proximal end 58 to function as a guidewire introducer or funnel that may assist a clinician in placing, holding, removing, and/or exchanging a guidewire extending through inner member 20.

In order to properly deploy stent 34, the various components of system 10 may need to work in concert so that relative motion of sheath 16 can be accomplished relative to inner member 20. In addition, to improve the accuracy of deployment, intermediate tube 36 may need to be configured so as to provide the desired longitudinal support necessary to limit proximal movement of stent 34. In at least some embodiments, the proper configuration of these structures may be maintained, at least in part, through the use of a clip member 60 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In general, clip member 60 is disposed within handle 14 and is configured to be secured along the interior of handle 14. Accordingly, clip member 60 allows the longitudinal position of one or more portions of system 10 to be fixed relative to handle 14. In order to secure clip member 60 to handle 14, clip member 60 may include one or more fasteners or legs 62 a/ 62 b. For example, handle 14 may have one or more slots, grooves, openings, or the like that are configured to seat legs 62 a/ 62 b such that the relative position of clip member 60 relative to handle 14 is fixed. In some embodiments, clip member 60 may be configured to “snap in” to handle 14. This may desirably simplify manufacturing.

The orientation of clip member 60 may be such that it is positioned near one or more structures of system 10. In at least some embodiments, clip member 60 may be configured so that at least a portion thereof is positioned within groove 68 of gear rack assembly 52. This may desirably place clip member 60 near inner member 20 and intermediate tube 36 (which may also extend through groove 68) such that clip member 60 can be associated therewith. As such, clip member 60 may aid in maintaining the relative position of one or more structures of system 10 so that stent 34 can be accurately deployed. For example, clip member 60 may include one or more tubular portions that inner member 20 may pass through and inner member 20 may optionally include a flared proximal end 66 that may substantially prevent inner member 20 from moving distally beyond the tubular portion(s). In some embodiments, clip member 60 may include a flared region or end (not shown), which may facilitate entry of a guidewire into clip member and/or inner member 20.

When stent 34 is deployed, a clinician may actuate the actuation thumbwheel 18. Because of the association of thumbwheel 18 with gear rack assembly 52, relative rotation of thumbwheel 18 causes proximal movement of deployment sheath 16. As deployment sheath 16 proximally retracts, stent 34 is “uncovered” and (if stent 34 is a self-expanding stent) can expand within the body lumen.

Often times, the actuation mechanism of a stent delivery system is set so that once deployment commences, it cannot be reversed. In other words, the system may be designed so that once the deployment sheath begins retracting, it cannot be reversed (e.g., it cannot be advanced in the distal direction). This may be desirable for a number of reasons. For example, if a stent begins to deploy and a clinician attempts to “recapture” the stent by distally advancing the deployment sheath, the sheath and/or other components of the delivery system may distort or alter the stent, which may reduce the effectiveness of the stent or otherwise may result in undesirable complications. In addition, any unwanted shifting the actuation mechanism during packaging, shipping, or storage of the delivery system may shift the position of the deployment sheath and, thus, may make the system no longer suitable for use.

System 10 may include a locking member or mechanism 70 as shown in FIG. 8. In general, locking member 70 is configured to prevent any unwanted actuation of actuation member 18. In at least some embodiments, locking member 70 may attach to or otherwise be coupled with actuation member 18. In doing so, locking member 70 may prevent rotation of actuation member 18 (e.g., when actuation member 18 takes the form of a thumbwheel). Attaching locking member 70 may include positioning locking member 70 near and/or in contact with handle 14. Some additional details regarding some of the arrangements contemplated for the positioning of locking member 70 relative to actuation member 18 and/or handle 14 are discussed in more detail below.

As can be appreciated, locking member 70 may make actuation member 18 generally inaccessible to a clinician so that undesired actuation thereof can be prevented. In general, the forces required to “override” locking member 70 (e.g., such that actuation member 18 may be moved) may be significantly higher than the forces acting on system 10 during handling and/or insertion of system 10 into a patient. Thus, locking member 70 can efficiently reduce and/or prevent undesired movement of deployment sheath 16 including during navigation of system 10 through the vasculature. In addition, in embodiments where actuation member 18 takes the form of a thumbwheel, and because gear rack assembly 52 may be coupled to thumbwheel 18, locking member 70 may also provide significant resistance if a clinician should, for example inadvertently, pull on flared proximal end 58 (which might otherwise result in proximal retraction of deployment sheath 16). Thus, locking member 70 may help or otherwise prevent undesired movement of deployment sheath 16 that may result from proximal retraction of flared proximal end 58.

FIG. 9 illustrates locking member 70 and shows some additional structural features thereof. For example, locking member 70 may include one or more depressible tabs 72 a/ 72 b. In this example locking member 70 includes a pair of depressible tabs 72 a/ 72 b. However, any suitable number of depressible tabs may be utilized. Locking member 70 may also include one or more gripping members or fingers 74 a/ 74 b. Again, in this example locking member 70 includes a pair of gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b but any suitable number of depressible tabs may be utilized. In at least some embodiments, each of the depressible tabs (e.g., tab 72 a) is associated with a gripping finger (e.g., gripping finger 74 a). Thus, if one of the depressible tabs (e.g., tab 72 a) is moved, for example pressed so as to move tab 72 a inward, the corresponding gripping finger (e.g., gripping finger 74 a) also moves (e.g., outward). The same may also be true of other tabs and/or gripping fingers.

In use, locking member 70 may be releasable “locked” onto or otherwise associated with or coupled to system 10, for example at handle 14. To do so, a clinician may squeeze or otherwise depress tabs 72 a/ 72 b so that they move inward. Because gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b may be coupled to tabs 72/72 b, depressing tabs 72 a/ 72 b may “open” or otherwise widen gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b so that they can be fitted over actuation member 18. Thus, when gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b are in the “open” configuration, locking member 70 may be fitted over actuation member 18. Because gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b may be biased to extend radially inward, releasing tabs 72 a/ 72 b may allow gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b to move inward so as to secure locking member 70 onto actuation member 18.

The arrangement of tabs 72 a/ 72 b and gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b may also be understood as the locking member 70 having a grip portion (e.g., at or near gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b) for attaching to locking member 70 to actuation member 18 and a handle portion (e.g., at or near tabs 72 a/ 72 b). The grip portion may be configured to shift between an attached configuration where locking member 70 is or can be attached to actuation member 18 and a released configuration where locking member 70 is or can be removed from actuation member 18. Because gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b may be biased to extend radially inward, applying a radially inward force to depressible tabs 72 a/ 72 b may shift the position of gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b (e.g., outward) so that the grip portion shifts from the attached configuration to the released configuration. Removing the radially inward force from depressible tabs 72 a/ 72 b may allow the bias of gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b to shift gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b inward so that the grip portion shifts from the released configuration to the attached configuration. Releasing locking member 70 from actuation member 18 may include similar steps (e.g., depressing tabs 72 a/ 72 b to open gripping fingers 74 a/ 74 b and removing locking member 70 from actuation member 18).

Locking member 70 may include additional features which further aid in securing locking member 70 with actuation member 18 and/or handle 14. For example, FIG. 9 additionally illustrates that locking member 70 includes a first or proximal edge 76 a and a second or distal edge 76 b. Edges 76 a/ 76 b are generally configured so that the lay directly over or onto handle 14. Thus, any rotary forces applied to locking member 70 will encounter interference between one or more of edges 76 a/ 76 b and the surface of handle 14.

In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates that gripping fingers 74 a 74 b may each include an inward-extending tab, for example tabs 80 a/ 80 b. Because actuation member 18 may include an outer rim or flanged portion 84 and an inner portion 86 that is inset relative to rim 84 as illustrated in FIG. 11, tabs 80 a/ 80 b may fit over rim 84 and engage inner portion 86. This may create additional structural interference that is designed to reduce the possibility of removing locking member 70 from actuation member 18 at times other than those desired by the clinician.

FIG. 10 also illustrates that locking member 70 may include one or more projections, for example projections 82 a/ 82 b. Because one or more channels may be formed in handle 14 adjacent to actuation member 18, for example channels 88 a/ 88 b as shown in FIG. 12, projections 82 a/ 82 b may be configured to extend into channels 88 a/ 88 b. This may create additional structural interference that is designed to reduce the possibility of rotating or otherwise moving actuation member 18 at times other than those desired by the clinician.

In at least some embodiments, locking member 70 may made from a material that is able to adequately transfer force from the “top” (e.g., adjacent tabs 72 a/ 72 b) to the “bottom” (e.g., adjacent fingers 74 a/ 74 b) of locking member 70. In addition, the material used for locking member 70 may be selected so that locking member 70 can withstand multiple lock/unlock cycles, require a relatively low finger force to deflect tabs 72 a/ 72 b, be not too brittle or ductile, have a minimum of about 5% strain at yield, and have a relatively high flexural modulus. These are just examples. In at least some embodiments, locking member 70 includes a thermoplastic material with a relatively high percent strain at yield and a relatively high flexural modulus yet with a good balance between brittle and ductile properties so as to allow locking member to be actuated without breaking or otherwise being damaged. For example, locking member 70 may include a polyamide such as GRILAMID® TR55-LX available from EMS American Grilon. Other materials, however, are contemplated including, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), an ABS/polycarbonate blend, polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone, or any other suitable material including those disclosed herein.

The materials that can be used for the various components of system 10 (and/or other systems disclosed herein) may include those commonly associated with medical devices. For simplicity purposes, the following discussion makes reference to shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20. However, this is not intended to limit the invention as the discussion may be applied to other similar members and/or components of members or systems disclosed herein.

Shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20, and/or other components of system 10 may be made from a metal, metal alloy, polymer (some examples of which are disclosed below), a metal-polymer composite, combinations thereof, and the like, or any other suitable material. Some examples of suitable metals and metal alloys include stainless steel, such as 304V, 304L, and 316LV stainless steel; mild steel; nickel-titanium alloy such as linear-elastic and/or super-elastic nitinol; other nickel alloys such as nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N06625 such as INCONEL® 625, UNS: N06022 such as HASTELLOY® C-22®, UNS: N10276 such as HASTELLOY® C276®, other HASTELLOY® alloys, and the like), nickel-copper alloys (e.g., UNS: N04400 such as MONEL® 400, NICKELVAC® 400, NICORROS® 400, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nickel-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N10665 such as HASTELLOY® ALLOY B2®), other nickel-chromium alloys, other nickel-molybdenum alloys, other nickel-cobalt alloys, other nickel-iron alloys, other nickel-copper alloys, other nickel-tungsten or tungsten alloys, and the like; cobalt-chromium alloys; cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like); platinum enriched stainless steel; titanium; combinations thereof; and the like; or any other suitable material.

As alluded to above, within the family of commercially available nickel-titanium or nitinol alloys, is a category designated “linear elastic” or “non-super-elastic” which, although may be similar in chemistry to conventional shape memory and super elastic varieties, may exhibit distinct and useful mechanical properties. Linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may be distinguished from super elastic nitinol in that the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol does not display a substantial “superelastic plateau” or “flag region” in its stress/strain curve like super elastic nitinol does. Instead, in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol, as recoverable strain increases, the stress continues to increase in a substantially linear, or a somewhat, but not necessarily entirely linear relationship until plastic deformation begins or at least in a relationship that is more linear that the super elastic plateau and/or flag region that may be seen with super elastic nitinol. Thus, for the purposes of this disclosure linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be termed “substantially” linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol.

In some cases, linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be distinguishable from super elastic nitinol in that linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may accept up to about 2-5% strain while remaining substantially elastic (e.g., before plastically deforming) whereas super elastic nitinol may accept up to about 8% strain before plastically deforming. Both of these materials can be distinguished from other linear elastic materials such as stainless steel (that can also can be distinguished based on its composition), which may accept only about 0.2-0.44% strain before plastically deforming.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy is an alloy that does not show any martensite/austenite phase changes that are detectable by DSC and DMTA analysis over a large temperature range. For example, in some embodiments, there may be no martensite/austenite phase changes detectable by DSC and DMTA analysis in the range of about −60° C. to about 120° C. in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. The mechanical bending properties of such material may therefore be generally inert to the effect of temperature over this very broad range of temperature. In some embodiments, the mechanical bending properties of the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy at ambient or room temperature are substantially the same as the mechanical properties at body temperature, for example, in that they do not display a super-elastic plateau and/or flag region. In other words, across a broad temperature range, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy maintains its linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic characteristics and/or properties and has essentially no yield point.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy may be in the range of about 50 to about 60 weight percent nickel, with the remainder being essentially titanium. In some embodiments, the composition is in the range of about 54 to about 57 weight percent nickel. One example of a suitable nickel-titanium alloy is FHP-NT alloy commercially available from Furukawa Techno Material Co. of Kanagawa, Japan. Some examples of nickel titanium alloys are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,238,004 and 6,508,803, which are incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable materials may include ULTANIUM™ (available from Neo-Metrics) and GUM METAL™ (available from Toyota). In some other embodiments, a superelastic alloy, for example a superelastic nitinol can be used to achieve desired properties.

In at least some embodiments, portions or all of shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20 may also be doped with, made of, or otherwise include a radiopaque material including those listed herein or other suitable radiopaque materials.

In some embodiments, a degree of MRI compatibility is imparted into system 10. For example, to enhance compatibility with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, it may be desirable to make shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20, in a manner that would impart a degree of MRI compatibility. For example, shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20, or portions thereof, may be made of a material that does not substantially distort the image and create substantial artifacts (artifacts are gaps in the image). Certain ferromagnetic materials, for example, may not be suitable because they may create artifacts in an MRI image. Shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20, or portions thereof, may also be made from a material that the MRI machine can image. Some materials that exhibit these characteristics include, for example, tungsten, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nitinol, and the like, and others.

Some examples of suitable polymers that may be used to form shaft 12, deployment sheath 16, and inner member 20, and/or other components of system 10 may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyoxymethylene (POM, for example, DELRIN® available from DuPont), polyether block ester, polyurethane (for example, Polyurethane 85A), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyether-ester (for example, ARNITEL® available from DSM Engineering Plastics), ether or ester based copolymers (for example, butylene/poly(alkylene ether) phthalate and/or other polyester elastomers such as HYTREL® available from DuPont), polyamide (for example, DURETHAN® available from Bayer or CRISTAMID® available from Elf Atochem), elastomeric polyamides, block polyamide/ethers, polyether block amide (PEBA, for example available under the trade name PEBAX®), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), silicones, polyethylene (PE), Marlex high-density polyethylene, Marlex low-density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (for example REXELL®), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), poly paraphenylene terephthalamide (for example, KEVLAR®), polysulfone, nylon, nylon-12 (such as GRILAMID® and/or GRILAMID® TR55-LX available from EMS American Grilon), perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) (PFA), ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyolefin, polystyrene, epoxy, polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (for example, SIBS and/or SIBS 50A), polycarbonates, ionomers, biocompatible polymers, other suitable materials, or mixtures, combinations, copolymers thereof, polymer/metal composites, and the like. In some embodiments the sheath can be blended with a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). For example, the mixture can contain up to about 6% LCP.

In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the system 10 may include a coating, for example a lubricious, a hydrophilic, a protective, or other type of coating. Hydrophobic coatings such as fluoropolymers provide a dry lubricity which improves device handling and exchanges. Lubricious coatings improve steerability and improve lesion crossing capability. Suitable lubricious polymers may include silicone and the like, polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyarylene oxides, polyvinylpyrolidones, polyvinylalcohols, hydroxy alkyl cellulosics, algins, saccharides, caprolactones, and the like, and mixtures and combinations thereof. Hydrophilic polymers may be blended among themselves or with formulated amounts of water insoluble compounds (including some polymers) to yield coatings with suitable lubricity, bonding, and solubility. Some other examples of such coatings and materials and methods used to create such coatings can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,139,510 and 5,772,609, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A stent delivery system, comprising: an inner member; a deployment sheath disposed about the inner member; a stent disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath; a handle coupled to the inner member and to the deployment sheath; wherein the handle includes an actuation member, the actuation member being configured to shift the longitudinal position of the deployment sheath relative to the inner member; and a locking member disposed on the actuation member, the locking member being configured to prevent unwanted actuation of the actuation member.
 2. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the stent includes a self-expanding stent.
 3. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the actuation member includes a thumbwheel.
 4. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein locking member is releasable attached to the actuation member
 5. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a grip portion for attaching to the actuation member and a handle portion, and wherein the grip portion is configured to shift between an attached configuration where the locking member is attached to the actuation member and a released configuration where the locking member can be removed from the actuation member.
 6. The stent delivery system of claim 5, wherein the grip portion includes one or more gripping fingers.
 7. The stent delivery system of claim 6, wherein the handle portion includes one or more depressible tabs.
 8. The stent delivery system of claim 7, wherein gripping fingers are biased to extend radially inward.
 9. The stent delivery system of claim 8, wherein applying a radially inward force to the depressible tabs shifts the gripping fingers from the attached configuration to the released configuration.
 10. The stent delivery system of claim 9, wherein removing the radially inward force from the depressible tabs shifts the gripping fingers from the released configuration to the attached configuration.
 11. The stent delivery system of claim 7, wherein the actuation member includes an outer flanged portion and an inner portion and wherein each of the gripping fingers includes a tab extending radially inward that is configured to engage the inner portion of the actuation member.
 12. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a distal edge and a proximal edge, and wherein at least one of the distal edge and the proximal edge is configured to engage the handle.
 13. The stent delivery system of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a channel disposed adjacent to the actuation member and wherein the locking member includes one or more projections that are configured to extend into the channel.
 14. A locking member for preventing unwanted actuation of a thumbwheel on a stent delivery system, the locking member comprising: a body having a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein at least one of the proximal edge and the distal edge is configured to engage a handle of the stent delivery system; one or more gripping fingers coupled to the body, the gripping fingers being configured to engage the thumbwheel; wherein the gripping fingers are configured to shift between an engaged configuration where the gripping fingers are engaged with the thumbwheel and a released configuration where the gripping fingers are released from the thumbwheel; and one or more depressible tabs coupled to the body for shifting the position of the gripping fingers.
 15. The locking member of claim 14, wherein gripping fingers are biased to extend radially inward.
 16. The locking member of claim 15, wherein applying a radially inward force to the depressible tabs shifts the gripping fingers from the engaged configuration to the released configuration.
 17. The locking member of claim 16, and wherein removing the radially inward force from the depressible tabs shifts the gripping fingers from the released configuration to the engaged configuration.
 18. The stent delivery system of claim 14, wherein each of the gripping fingers includes a tab extending radially inward that is configured to engage the thumbwheel.
 19. The stent delivery system of claim 14, wherein the locking member includes one or more projections that are configured to extend into a channel formed in the handle adjacent to the actuation member.
 20. A method for preventing unwanted motion of a thumbwheel on a stent delivery system, the method comprising: providing a locking member, the locking member comprising: a body having a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein at least one of the proximal edge and the distal edge is configured to engage a handle of the stent delivery system, one or more gripping fingers coupled to the body, the gripping fingers being configured to engage the thumbwheel, wherein the gripping fingers are configured to shift between an engaged configuration where the gripping fingers are engaged with the thumbwheel and a released configuration where the gripping fingers are released from the thumbwheel, wherein the gripping fingers are biased to extend radially inward, and one or more depressible tabs coupled to the body for shifting the position of the gripping fingers; applying a radially inward force to the depressible tabs to shift the gripping fingers from the engaged configuration to the released configuration; disposing the locking member on the thumbwheel; and removing the radially inward force from the depressible tabs to shift the gripping fingers from the released configuration to the engaged configuration and to attach the locking member to the thumbwheel. 